by Liz Crowe
The music changed to something slow. A song she recognized. Dustin Lynch’s Cowboys and Angels. Damn. This is my favorite song. Why does Joel have to be so gorgeous? Why can’t he be some scraggly old codger who would be willing to tell her all his cowboy secrets over a cup of coffee? And holy hell, there are three of him! Fuckin’ A.
“You slow dance well,” he whispered, nuzzling her ear.
“There isn’t much to it, really. You just shuffle back and forth. I probably won’t bruise your toes on this one.”
“We could always try a faster song. I can swing dance, too.” He laughed at the shocked look on her face.
“Oh, hell no. I got your feet with the simple two-step. I’d probably break something swing dancing.”
“I like this better anyway. I can hold you closer.”
“You were holding me pretty close with the two-step.”
“Not close enough.” He pulled her in tighter. Her breasts brushed against the front of his western shirt, making them peak like mountaintops reaching for the warmth of the sky. Damn, traitorous nipples. “Are you excited, Mesa?”
“Excited?”
“Are your panties wet?” he whispered, brushing those full lips over her ear.
“A bit bold, aren’t you?”
“I know when a woman is excited.”
“Not this woman.”
“Really?” he asked with a raised eyebrow over those damn sexy eyes. “Your nipples are poking me in the chest. Cold?”
“Why yes, I am.”
“Liar.” His lips brush her neck.
Her eyes drifted closed as goose bumps danced down her arms. His hands settled on her hips, slowly dragging her into the warmth of his embrace. God, the man was sex on a stick. Did he think she was some loser in the bedroom that he could drag into his web with eyes blue enough to drown in, lips full enough to lose her mind, and a body to stop traffic at a green light?
Of course he did.
She stepped out of his embrace. “I need a drink.” She blew the hair off her forehead with a frustrated breath.
“I thought you were cold?” he asked with a smirk.
“Smartass.”
“But yours is cute enough to eat whipped cream off of.”
Fuck! She was so screwed. If he wants to get me into the sack, he’s doing a damn good job of it, even if I want it too. “I thought you weren’t supposed to seduce the guests?”
“Seduce? Who me?” He grinned as he wrapped his arm around her waist to escort her to the bar. “Beer?”
“Sure.”
“Two Buds in the bottle please,” he said, signaling the bartender who responded with a nod.
“Someone you know?”
“I know everyone in here, pretty much. We also know the judge, the sheriff, the lawyers, the schoolteachers, the principal, and everyone else. Most all of those you see in here now are guys and gals I went to high school with.” He reached up to wave to someone nearby.
“I don’t know what it’s like to be surrounded by people I’ve grown up with.”
“No?”
“Nope. I went to a high school where my graduating class had three thousand kids in it.”
“Holy shit! Mine had one hundred fifty and I thought it was huge. It took three hours to read all the names off.”
He paid the bartender before he handed her the bottle, then tipped his to his sensuous lips. Lordy, the man could kiss. The slow glide of his mouth over hers earlier in the dark, had been enough to curl her toes, but the lip smacking, tongue tangling kiss he’d laid on her after her bull ride still had her panting for air. She tentatively sipped at her beer, hoping it would wash away the taste of the kiss. No luck. She could still feel his mouth on hers. The slide of his tongue. Damn.
“Mine had to be split into two days. A through L one day and M through Z the next day. It sucks living in such a large place sometimes. I like having things to do all the time like shopping and stuff, but it’s crazy not knowing who your neighbors are.”
“I don’t think I could live somewhere like that. I’m so used to living here. I couldn’t be comfortable in a place where I didn’t know the guy living above me. Concrete jungle comes to mind.”
“Yeah. Now that you mention it, I don’t care for it much either.”
“Why do you stay then?”
“Because it’s home. My parents are there. My siblings are nearby. I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for five years. I know where everything is.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist to tuck her in close to his side. “Haven’t you ever wanted to move to a place you didn’t know anyone? Learn a new town, a new city?”
“You’re one to talk, Joel. You’ve lived in Bandera all your life.”
“True and I love it here. I love the area. I love my neighbors. I love working the ranch with my brothers and I hope someday the woman I marry with learn to love it like I do.”
“Tall order.”
“Not really.”
“I guess not if you plan to marry someone who is already from here. They’d fit right in.” He bent down and kissed her. “What was that for?” she asked, bewildered by his behavior.
“Just to let you know I’m thinking of you right at the moment. Not someone else.”
“Thanks…I think.” She wrinkled her nose. He laughed.
“It’s a compliment, Mesa. You’re a beautiful woman. I’m glad I’m here with you.”
“You confuse me, Joel.”
“Why?”
“Because one minute you kiss me and tell me I’m beautiful. The next I’m not sure if you’re talking about me or someone else you’ve been with recently.”
His mouth pulled down at the corners when he frowned. “What gave you the idea I was talking about anyone but you?”
“Just…oh never mind.”
“I’m with you tonight. I think it’s rude to talk about other women when you’re with one.”
She shrugged. “But we aren’t together. We're here as friends.”
“Still.”
“Let’s just have a good time. Forget about the rest for now.”
“Sounds good to me. Are you finished with your beer? I want to dance with you again.”
“And have me stepping on your feet more?”
“You’re so cute when you’re joking,” he said, tweaking her nose, and then brushing his mouth against hers.
What the hell was she going to do about these feelings? She wanted to jump him and ride his hips into tomorrow like some rodeo bronc rider, but on the other hand, getting involved with a guy like him in a situation like this was a sure way to feel like shit when she went back to L.A.
He swept her up in his arms the minute they hit the dance floor again, doing a quick two-step. The dance brought her close enough to smell him. She wanted to taste him. Find out if his skin tasted salty under her tongue. Did he have a little sweat she could lick off?
“What are you thinking about?’
‘Nothin’, why?”
“You've got a guilty little smirk on your lips.”
She captured her lips between her teeth.
“Ah, somethin’ dirty?”
“Maybe, but I won’t tell.”
“How about if I tickle you until you tell me?”
“You wouldn’t.” His hand curled into her side and she giggled like a schoolgirl. “That’s not fair!”
“Sure it is. You’re keeping secrets.”
“I’m a woman. We have secrets.”
“Tell me.” He tickled her again.
“Stop!”
“Not until you tell me.”
“Okay, okay!” She gasped for breath as he led them to an empty table toward the back of the bar in a secluded corner. How this particular table became available, she would never know, but here she sat with one the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen in a darkened corner.
“Spill it.”
“I was thinking about you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
She forced a ragged breath between her lips. Surely he didn’t really expect her to tell him she wanted to lick the sweat from his body after he fucked her like a couple of bunny rabbits? “Nothing, really.” He reached over and tickled her side. “All right!” She sighed. “You are rotten, you know?”
He touched her side again, making her jump.
“I was thinking about you being sweaty.”
“Like after working outside?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would you be thinking about me being sweaty?”
“Like licking you after sex.” Heat crawled up her neck as she dropped her gaze to the table. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Why?”
“Seriously? We’ve only known each other like not even twenty-four hours.”
“So? I think you’re beautiful, sexy, interesting, and a great dancer. There’s nothing wrong with being attracted to each other.” He reached over and slid his hand along the side of her face. “I want to kiss you.”
“You’ve kissed me before,” she whispered, drowning in his eyes.
“I want to do it again.”
His breath flittered across her lips. She wanted his mouth. She wanted his tongue. God, she wanted all of him touching her, holding her, making love to her.
“We should go.”
“No. Not until I’ve tasted you again.”
“Hey, Joel. Mesa,” Josh said, sliding into the booth on the other side of her.
“Josh. What are you doing here?”
“I saw your two leave and figured you might be headed here.”
Shit. Now I’m sandwiched between two good-looking men. Threesome? No, no, no.
“Yeah, we did. We’ve been dancing.”
“I rode the bull,” she said, moving a little further away from Joel. She needed the breathing room. Being close to him did all kinds of funny things to her insides.
“You did? Wow. Great job!” Josh exclaimed. “Did Joel?”
“No.”
“Chicken, brother?”
“No. I got busy congratulating Mesa and forgot.”
“Uh-huh.”
The look on Joshua’s didn’t face bode well for their continued anonymity. She really didn’t want his family knowing about their shared kisses or the fact of her wanting to get him in bed. She needed to forget about that part. He really should be beyond her reach. Girls like her didn’t get guys like him. Women like Brandy roped in guys like the triplets, with their penetrating blue gazes, rock hard bodies, and kissable, full lips. Damn.
“Dance with me, Mesa,” Joshua said, holding out his hand. “Please?”
“I’ll warn you, I step on toes.”
“No, she doesn’t,” Joel added. “She just learned to two-step though, so take it easy on her.”
“Of course, brother.”
She scooted out of the booth, allowing Joshua to take her hand and lead her to the dance floor. The whole time, she felt Joel’s gaze on her back. The moment they reached the wood flooring, Joshua swept her up in his arms, bringing her in close…too close. She pushed on his chest to put more space between them. “Ease up on the hold buddy, or you’re gonna lose something precious to you.”
“Come on. You like Joel. I can see it in your eyes. We’re identical.”
“In looks maybe. But you need to think about what you’re doing here.” She pushed again.
“What? I’m dancing with a pretty woman.”
“Who happens to be here with your brother.”
“So?”
“You don’t get it, do you? Do you guys always fight over women?”
‘No.” He grinned and winked. “I usually win.”
“Why? Because you’re an ass if you ask me.”
He put one hand on his chest. “I’m hurt, Mesa. I thought you were a nice girl.”
“I am, but I don’t put up with bullshit like what you’re trying to pull. Let me go.”
“I could make it good for you. Joel won’t go against the wishes of our mother and I think you want a good, hard lay.”
She pushed out of his arms, pulled back her arm and slapped him as hard as she could. “How dare you! Someday you’re going to find a woman who will put you in your place, Josh, and I’m going to laugh my ass off when I see it. Joel is twice the man you are.”
“What's going on?” Joel asked, sliding to a stop between her and Josh.
“Nothing. Josh was just leaving.”
“No I’m not.”
“Yeah, you are brother. You’ve obviously insulted my lady friend and I won’t put up with it. Go home before I kick your ass.”
“You can try.”
“Take it outside boys,” the bartender hollered from behind the bar. “No fighting in here. You know the rules.”
“Fine. Outside?” Josh asked, egging on his brother by smiling at Mesa.
“Bring it on, bro. I can kick your ass anytime.”
“Stop this!” she shouted, pulling on Joel’s arm. “Don’t do this. Don’t fight over nothing.”
“It’s not nothin’, darlin’. He insulted you or you wouldn’t have slapped him.”
Joel followed Josh to the door with Mesa following close on their heels. A crowd of people trailed behind her. Surely it wasn’t anything unusual for the Young brothers to fight? With nine of them, it couldn’t be that big of a deal, right?
“Joel, please.”
“No, Mesa. He’s been asking for this since he came onto you at the barn this afternoon. He thinks he can do whatever he pleases and there aren’t any consequences. Well there will be tonight.”
The moment they cleared the parking lot, Joshua spun around to rush Joel, pushing him up against the side of someone’s pickup.
“Fucker!”
“Kiss my ass, brother, and leave my girl alone.”
“She ain’t your girl, dumbass. You’ve known her what, six hours?”
Joel pushed Joshua back and swung, connecting with his jaw. Mesa flinched at the bone jarring sound, not sure if it was Joel’s knuckles or Joshua’s jaw. Josh took a swing, splitting Joel’s lip. Blood spurted everywhere.
“You’ll pay for that.” Joel jabbed Josh in the ribs, doubling him over as he grunted in pain. “I told you I could take you down, asshole. Just go home.”
“I’m gonna kick your ass,” Joshua wheezed, rolling over onto his side.
“You can’t even get up, Josh. Just stay down.”
“Fucker!”
“It’s not worth it. Go home.”
“I’ll go when I’m damned good and ready!” Josh rolled to his stomach and pulled his knees under him as he attempted to stand. One hand braced his ribs. “You fuckin’ broke my ribs!”
“You asked for it by being a jerk to Mesa.”
“She’s just a piece of ass, Joel.”
Joel swung again, connecting with Joshua’s jaw. The blow took Josh flat on his back and out cold.
“He’s unconscious!”
“Good. At least he won’t get up again.”
“You can’t leave him like this.” Mesa dropped down on the ground near Joshua’s head. Josh moaned but didn’t open his eyes.
“The hell I can't!”
“At least call one of your other brothers to come, Joel. He’s your brother.”
“He deserved it.” Joel wiped at the blood on his lip with the back of his hand, smearing it across his chin.
“I know he did, but please?”
“Fine.” Joe grabbed his brother’s arm and hoisted him over his shoulder. “He’s ridin’ in the back.”
“All right.”
“Get in. I guess our night is over.” He sounded disappointed.
Within moments, they were speeding down the road back toward the ranch with Joshua in the bed of the truck. He’d regained consciousness from what she could tell by looking out the window, but he didn’t sit up or anything, just stared at the stars.
“He’ll be fine. Mom will take care of him when we get home.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, feeling like shit for causing Joel and Joshua to fight. Of course, she’d never had two men fight over her before, much less two who looked like they did.
“For what?” He glanced her way, then out the windshield of his truck.
“For causing you two to fight.”
“He asked for it, Mesa. Besides, it’s not like it’s the first time we’ve fought. We’ve done it for years off and on. It’s what brothers do.” He banged his hand on the steering wheel. “You didn’t do anythin’. He treated you like shit and I won’t have it. He can be a nice guy when he’s not drinking, but get a little alcohol in him and he turns into a jerk.” He glanced her way again. “Why are you being so nice to him? He called you a piece of ass.”
“I’m not going to let it bother me, Joel. He’s a guy. It’s what guys do. Since I know it’s not true, it doesn’t matter to me.”
“But what about all the people at the bar? They probably think we’re having sex.”
“What do I care? I’ll probably never see them again. You and I know we aren’t.” She placed her hand on his thigh. “They are people. Nothing more.”
“You’re a better person than I am then. I don’t like worrying about what other people think but it’s in my nature, I guess. I’ve always had to fight to be an individual since I’m a triplet. It’s hard to make people realize you are who you are rather than just one of the Young boys and a troublemaker.”
“I suppose you got into trouble a lot as a kid?”
“Sometimes. I’m the middle of us triplets so it was pretty rough.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Nothin’ to be sorry for. It’s how it was.”
They pulled up to the gate of the ranch, the headlights reflecting off the wrought iron fence. Joel punched in the code and the bulky piece of metal slowly slid open.
“Where are we?” Josh asked from the back while they bumped along the road toward the house.
Joel slid the window on the back open. “Home, you jackass,” Joel called from inside the cab. “You’d better apologize to Mesa. What you said was totally inappropriate.”
“Sorry, Mesa.”
“I accept your apology. You know, if you act this juvenile when you drink, maybe you shouldn’t drink.”